Posts Tagged ‘faith’

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A Time For Grace

November 15, 2020

Today’s prayer comes from a statement on healing our country issued by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, on November 7, 2020.

We pray for this nation and for our leaders. We pray for patience and endurance. We pray that as we move forward, no one is left behind. We pray that in all we do, may we be guided by the prophet’s call to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. 

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Seeking Your Guidance

October 18, 2020

Today’s prayer is adapted from the Prayers and Thanksgivings in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer ##22 and 24.

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all of our powers and privileges, guide us as we elect our leaders and representatives.

Help us to accept our responsibilities to our fellow citizens, to move beyond self-interest, and to cast our votes for those who would promote the well-being of all people and administer our laws fairly.

Give us grace to forgive and courage to face our uncertain future together. Guide us past our fears and resentments and help us to act so that the rights of all might be protected and our nation enabled to fulfill your purposes.

We know that our individual choices aggregate to shape our country’s path. Help us find ways to care for one another and work together. Guide us that we might choose wisely, and build your kingdom, so we might be closer to it here on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

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Grateful

October 4, 2020

We are grateful O Lord.

Grateful for the fall leaves, crisp days and beautiful skies, for love of friends and family, for music that calms and soothes, for books to read, for space to walk and think, and for all that brings us peace.

Grateful for those who serve and care and protect and guide and heal.

Grateful for the generosity of shared food and resources.

Grateful for the resilience of the human spirit.

Grateful for small moments of joy.

Grateful for the forgiveness and forbearance that point us towards a better way.

All this and more assures us that you, our Creator, are creating still.

We are grateful for your presence O Lord. Help us lean into your love in hope and faith.

Amen

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Coronavirus Continued

March 21, 2020

This prayer is by the Right Rev. Richard Bott of The United Church in Canada and being shared through various churches.

“In this time of COVID-19, we pray:

When we aren’t sure, God, help us be calm; when information comes from all sides, correct and not, help us to discern; when fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the day, slow us down, God; help us to reach out with our hearts, when we can’t touch with our hands; help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant; help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that ‘perfect love casts out all fear.’

For the doctors, we pray, for the nurses, we pray, for the technicians and the janitors and the aides and the caregivers, we pray, for the researchers and theorists, the epidemiologists and investigators, for those who are sick, and those who are grieving, we pray, for all who are affected, all around the world…we pray for safety, for health for wholeness.

May we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and house those without homes; may we walk with those who feel they are alone, and may we do all that we can to heal the sick—in spite of the epidemic, in spite of the fear.

Help us, O God, that we might help each other. In the love of the Creator, in the name of the Healer, in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all, we pray. May it be so.”

Amen

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Being Faithful In Politics

March 8, 2020

Lord, help us to find the information we need to make wise choices. Help us to filter the loud voices, the brash voices, the voices that lie.

Give us the courage to engage, to reach-out rather than retreat; to listen and work with others rather than to distort, deflect, or dismiss the thoughts that challenge ours.

Help us Lord, be a reconciling rather than a dividing influence as work to rebuild our communities and our country.

Amen

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Past Wisdom

February 22, 2020

The following is a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, as relevant to us today as in his time (1121-1226).

Most High, Glorious God,

enlighten the darkness of our minds;

give us a right faith, a firm hope, and a perfect charity,

so that we may always and in all things act

according to Your Holy Will.

Amen

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Faith In Politics

February 9, 2020

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. Ps. 133:1

Lord, how do we put our faith in action?

How do we speak up in the face of factions, fear, falsehoods, aggression, coercion, corruption, arrogance, or resentment?

How do we practice self-control, engage the generosity of your Spirit, listen, and forgive?

Show us Lord, the better way.

Amen

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Politics of Faith

February 2, 2020

[On politics] “Most people just want somebody who can articulate their hatreds . . .” (David Brooks, 2011)

It is easy to fear the other –

  • the alien,
  • the stranger,
  • the one who thinks differently,
  • the poor,
  • the sick,
  • the ones in need who look for more.

And yet you call on us

  • to embrace the alien (Ex. 22:21),
  • to welcome the stranger (Mt. 25:35),
  • to reject factions (Gal. 5:20),
  • to serve the poor (Lev. 19:9-10),
  • to care for the sick (Mt. 25:36), and
  • to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 22:34-40; Mk 12:28-34).

Help us O Lord, to heed your call as we live our lives together.

Amen.

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Pursuing Peace

January 12, 2020

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

“Whoever would love life, . . . he must seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10-11

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. . . ” Romans 15:7

“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. . . ” Colossians 3:15

Help us O Lord to value your peace and to pursue it, in our hearts and in our world. Guide us O Lord.

Amen

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A Light Shines

December 29, 2019

In him was life, and that life was the life of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. John 1:10

Help us O Lord to understand, to follow your light, and to share it with others. Amen

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